There really was not much time left.
Each time the Heavenly Pride Assessment Secret Realm opened, it remained open for three shichen.
Now, only half a shichen remained.
Under normal circumstances, they would have already begun the fifth stage, the contest stage. Whoever emerged victorious would become this round's Heavenly Prodigy.
Yet Zhang Lingshan was still comprehending Cold Ice Spirituality.
If they waited for him to emerge before competing, there might not be enough time.
But if they did not wait and let him compete last, would he not be getting an unfair advantage?
After all, those who competed earlier would expend energy, while his slow comprehension meant he would not need to expend anything.
That was unfair!
Thus, seeing that Zhang Lingshan was still comprehending, Wen Wanyu, Liu Rui, and Su Sheng remained still.
But they could not simply watch time pass without doing anything.
Finally.
Wen Wanyu broke the silence. "Who knows when this Li Xuanbing will finish comprehending? If time runs out and we have not decided the Heavenly Prodigy, would this opportunity not have been wasted?"
Su Sheng said, "What's the rush? At worst, we can compete after we leave and determine the Heavenly Prodigy then."
"That's different."
Wen Wanyu said, "Once the contest ends, the winner stays behind to receive an additional reward, while everyone else is sent away. If we wait until after we leave to compete, that reward will be gone."
"There's a rule like that? How did I not know?" Su Sheng said in surprise.
Liu Rui said, "There is indeed such a rule. Otherwise, why do you think everyone's gaps in strength are not that great during the Heavenly Pride Assessment, yet after becoming a Heavenly Prodigy, their strength rises by leaps and bounds? The reason lies in this final reward."